The Ervin family says the lessons learned studying at Lethbridge Polytechnic laid the foundation for their success, but a touch of serendipity has kept them connected both professionally and personally.
Kathie Ervin graduated from the Therapeutic Recreation program in 1990. She notes things were different on campus back then, but says the quality of education her two sons, Ashton and Tyler, received when they later attended the institution remained the same. Ashton took the Electrician Apprentice program and earned his journeyperson certificate in 2014 and later completed the Master Electrician program in 2017. Tyler graduated from Engineering Design Technology in 2015 before returning to take the Electrician Apprenticeship program, completing it in 2021.
“I was really proud that they went to [then-Lethbridge College],” says Kathie who, after working for 16 years in the recreation therapy job she landed immediately after graduation, has now taught Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology (TRG) at her alma mater for the past 20 years. “I felt good about them attending here because I knew the program was really strong, and I knew they were getting a very solid education.”
Both sons now work together at Southland Trailer Corp. – Tyler as a maintenance electrician and Ashton as the head of maintenance and reliability solutions.
“Even though I didn’t pursue a career with my original diploma, there’s a lot of skills I learned through that program that I still use in my job today,” says Tyler.
Ashton echoes those sentiments, saying the apprenticeship program set him on track for where he is today. Attending Lethbridge Polytechnic, he says, “was the backbone for my career.”
The fourth Ervin, Amanda, came onto the scene as a TRG student in one of Kathie’s classes at the same time Ashton was on campus. Ashton would often visit his mother between classes and, as a result, caught the eye of Amanda. The two started dating and have been married since 2011. And, while the brothers work together, Amanda and Kathie have also become colleagues as they both now teach TRG at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Kathie received her degree from Athabasca University and was the first therapeutic recreation instructor in Alberta to receive a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation. Amanda, who is also the executive director for the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association, went on to earn her CTRS along with a bachelor’s in therapeutic recreation and master’s degree in science from the University of Lethbridge, but she acknowledges that everything began across town.
“Whenever I speak at a conference or provide a bio, it’s always really important I mention that I started here,” says Amanda.
It’s that solid foundation that is consistent with all members of the family, with Kathie saying everything has now come full circle as she strives to provide a strong foundation for the next generation of students. “Lethbridge [Polytechnic] gave me my education, got me my first job and led me to where I am today,” Kathie says. “And it all started from that original diploma.”
Are you a multi-generational Lethbridge Polytechnic family? If at least three members across one or more generations attended Lethbridge Polytechnic, let us know by emailing WHMagazine@lethpolytech.ca. We’d love to profile you.
